Reality TV Show Addresses 'Gay for Pay' Porn Industry

DENVER—BluMedia has announced that the eight-episode reality show BrokeStraightBoys will be made available for free online for the first time this weekend. The reality series was previously aired nationally on cable and AT&T U-verse to subscribers of Here TV as a pay-per-view product. After enjoying a successful run in the PPV market, BluMedia is making the entire first season available online. The first episode will premiere Saturday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. Additional episodes will be released each Saturday culminating in the season finale on April 16. The series focuses on straight men that create gay adult films and one of the multi-million dollar companies that provides the platform. Although no nudity or sexual acts are shown in the series, according to the series' creators, the mere suggestion of what they do and the insight into their chosen profession makes BrokeStraightBoys a true character study, bringing the viewer into a world they may not have known existed. Spotlighting the various people involved in this taboo and unconventional lifestyle, the show examines the dynamic relationships between Mark Erickson, owner of BluMedia, his staff, and the models. Every month Mark houses a select number of these straight young men in his multi-million dollar mansion while they do scenes at a nearby studio. To mainstream viewers, the industry is shrouded in controversy, but Erickson believes people are unfairly judging his creation. "There are a lot of people who have a negative view of the entire gay for pay business, but these are grown adults who are capable of making their own decisions. There are plenty of positives that I believe the show will help showcase. We have brought guys off the streets. We have models that were homeless and this helped them get back on their feet." There are a lot of assumptions regarding the "Gay for Pay" adult genre. Many critics believe it is nothing more than a marketing tactic. Critics argue that these boys are really just conflicted gay men who are packaged to fulfill the "unattainable" straight boy fantasy. The new reality show delves deeply into the subject to answer the question once and for all. "Critics often don't believe that we're straight, but in certain circumstances, a lot of us need the money so bad that you do what you have to. It becomes less of an issue about sexuality and more about survival. When you have no money—can't buy diapers for your kid—you'll do what it takes to provide for your family," said performer Jimmy Johnson. "I'm supporting my family and that's what a real man does. It would take me months at a fast food restaurant to make what I do in a weekend." BluMedia is hoping viewers won't be able to look away, even when they want to, as the show follows these "Broke Straight Boys" rehearsing scenes in the studio, discussing their perspectives on life, money, and the justifications for doing gay for pay on film. "We're just like one big dysfunctional family, except that we have sex with each other," said performer Kaden Alexander. "Broke Straight Boys is like my second family."